Harrisburg, PA – While new federal tariffs inject chaos and uncertainty into the marketplace — raising prices for consumers and businesses and disrupting critical trade — Governor Josh Shapiro is delivering on his promise to provide real economic opportunity by investing in the Commonwealth’s small businesses, main streets, and communities – rural, urban, and suburban alike. The Governor is committed to growing Pennsylvania’s economy, cutting taxes, and reducing costs for families and employers across the Commonwealth.
Over the last 10 days, Governor Shapiro visited the Port of Philadelphia (PhilaPort), met with small business owners, farmers, and workers across the Commonwealth, and announced investments in 81 Main Street Matters projects in Pennsylvania — fulfilling a key promise he made and funded in the 2024-25 bipartisan budget to revitalize downtowns and support local economies.
These investments are part of the Shapiro Administration’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy — a bold plan to create jobs, attract new industries, and build economic resilience in communities across the Commonwealth. From Lancaster to Bethlehem to Reedsville, Pennsylvanians are seeing the impact of these strategic investments every day.
Read what a longshoreman, a small business owner, port officials, local leaders, and legislators are saying about the Governor’s investments in small businesses, main streets, and communities amid new federal tariffs:
Daniel Duffy, member of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1291: “Longshoremen play a vital role in making sure goods get from the port to your home — unloading and loading cargo safely and efficiently, just like we’ve done for more than a century. When you buy fruit at the grocery store or a new couch for your living room, a longshoreman helped make that happen. At the Port of Philadelphia, thousands of union workers keep things moving — and we should be continuing to grow and invest in this port, not threatening its future with bad policy. These tariffs are just a tax — they raise costs and could damage operations at the port. Instead of putting extremely high tariffs on essential goods, we need our leaders to support commonsense investments in domestic manufacturing — that’s how we create more jobs and opportunity on the waterfront. We’re proud to have Governor Shapiro standing with the port and our workers.”
Laura Haiges, owner of BellaBoo: “Whether it’s a coffee shop meetup, a farmers’ market, or a community event, main streets offer a common ground where people connect and feel a sense of belonging. They are where the soul of a town lives with everyday moments that shape community identity. I wanted to be a part of that. I created Bellaboo as a place where parents could find stylish and high-quality clothing as well as carefully crafted toys for children. I never imagined that my crazy idea would have led to almost 20 years of involvement in this wonderful city. A big thank you to Governor Shapiro and his team for taking the time to come to Lancaster and recognize our small business community.”
Michael Pearson, Chairman of PhilaPort: “I’m proud to stand here today at one of our region’s most vital economic engines. The Port of Philadelphia isn’t just a hub of commerce — it’s a lifeline that supports nearly 12,000 jobs and connects our Commonwealth to the global marketplace. From fruits and vegetables to prescription drugs and automobiles, the cargo moved here touches every part of our daily lives. But our supply chain is delicate, and new tariffs pose a real economic challenge that could impact port operations and jobs. We must ensure PhilaPort has the tools it needs to grow, stay resilient, and remain the most productive port in the world.”
Leo Holt, President of Holt Logistics: “Governor Shapiro, we’re grateful to you — and to your predecessor — for making a big bet on this Port. That investment is already paying off, and the next big bet will bring thousands more jobs to Philadelphia. The projects we’ve taken on are working, and they’re making good on the faith you’ve placed in us. It’s not about me — it’s about the men and women of the ILA, the Teamsters, and the generations of families who’ve made this place what it is. I see sons and daughters of longshoremen and Teamsters here — people whose families have worked this Port for generations, building this city and being built by it. Let us build on that success.”
Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace: “I’m pleased to welcome Governor Shapiro to Lancaster city’s 'main street,’ known around here as Queen Street – where local businesses reign. We know that in every community — whatever its name — main street matters. They are the core of our local economies attracting residents, businesses, and visitors. When main street does well, there is a pretty good chance that a community is doing well. I’m grateful that Governor Shapiro continues to highlight their importance.”
Lancaster City Alliance President Marshall Snively: "Our small business and merchant community is the lifeblood of Lancaster and a major reason as to why this city is so special. This city has over 300 places to eat, shop, and enjoy — which rivals most shopping malls — and it continues to grow as the vibrancy of downtown expands in all directions. We also know that it is not easy, especially these days, and to those who have set up shop here in Lancaster: we truly appreciate your investment in Lancaster. And we are grateful to Governor Shapiro for his commitment to and his support of small businesses everywhere."
Representative Ismail Smith-Wade-El: “I want to thank the Governor and his staff for recognizing — time and again — just how special Lancaster is. Not just downtown, but across our entire city. As the Governor knows, Lancaster is a city of neighborhoods — and he has never shied away from coming to our community and investing in our neighbors and small businesses. We’re grateful for that. There’s a difference between leadership that talks and leadership that shows up and asks, ‘What do you need? What would make your life easier? How can we help you improve your home?’ That’s the kind of leadership the Governor has brought. These façade improvements let us put our best foot forward. Because in Lancaster, people take deep pride in their neighborhoods — and these investments help us show it.”
Representative Nikki Rivera: “I’m glad the governor is spending some quality time in the coolest downtown in the commonwealth and seeing the amazing partnership between our small, local businesses, our workers, and the entire Lancaster community. Downtown Lancaster is vibrant proof of what happens when we invest in safe communities, infrastructure, and supporting jobs and entrepreneurs — and I’m ready to work with the Shapiro Administration to make a good thing even better.”
Senator Nikil Saval: “In times of uncertainty and instability, working people and communities always suffer the full blunt force of the impact. Trump’s economic whiplash endangers people’s ability to provide food for their families and obtain the medications they need. His tariffs destabilize the myriad vibrant and beloved small businesses throughout our Commonwealth that our neighbors, and our local economies, depend on. Pennsylvanians deserve family-sustaining wages, safe and healthy homes, and flourishing school communities — not to have their wellbeing casually and callously endangered.”
Representative Elizabeth Fiedler: "Here in South Philly, we have a global and diverse economy. Whether it’s workers at the Port or the shops along 7th Street, our community depends on imports. Our neighbors are already struggling to keep up with the costs of everyday goods: these new tariffs will cut into their paychecks and could threaten the jobs and businesses we all rely on."
Representative Ed Neilson: “Pennsylvania is home to the major highways and ports that serve the global supply chain industry, and we take that role very seriously. The Port of Philadelphia, an epicenter of international commerce for more than 300 years, supports 12,000 jobs in the Philadelphia region and 66,000 maritime jobs statewide alone. We import billions of dollars of goods that have significant impact on Pennsylvania, our nation, and the world as a whole. I have seen this great work in action. Tariffs of this magnitude will raise costs on working families and lead to untold job losses. We cannot let that happen. We must instead focus our efforts on encouraging domestic manufacturing and supporting workforce development. We can boost supply chains and help businesses grow if we stay focused.”
See what Pennsylvanians are reading and watching regarding the Governor's investments in small businesses, main streets, and communities amid new federal tariffs:
CBS3: Pennsylvania governor knocks Trump's tariff policy in Philadelphia visit
WNEP16: Shapiro Visits Port of Philadelphia
Central Penn Business Journal: Shapiro highlights investments in Lancaster’s small businesses
LNP: Visiting Lancaster city shops, Gov. Josh Shapiro touts grants for Main Streets
ABC27: Governor Shapiro visits Lancaster businesses to highlight $20 million statewide investment
PoliticsPA: NFIB Throws Shade on Governor’s Main Street Matters Program
LNP: Gov. Josh Shapiro praises Ric’s Bread after visit to Lancaster
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